Toronto’s attack remains a concern after a scoreless return, making goals markets and Carles Gil attractive betting options
Major League Soccer (MLS) is gradually ramping back up after an unprecedented two-month hiatus as the World Cup played out across Mexico, the U.S. and Canada.
In Toronto, BMO Field became Toronto Stadium, with $157 million in upgrades, including additional seating, stadium infrastructure, technology improvements, and upgraded team and hospitality facilities. Many of those improvements will stay in place and greet the MLS players as they return.
Toronto FC (3-6-6) plays tonight in Foxborough, Mass., against the New England Revolution (8-1-5), 7:30 p.m. EST, at Gillette Stadium.
In soccer betting at Betway, the Revolution are favourites, at -106, with TFC at +240, and the draw priced at +260.
That line suggests that the Revolution is the better team, but not a particularly strong or trustworthy favourite. That’s a cautious line. There’s understandable doubt after such a long layoff, uncertainty around fitness, rhythm, lineups and whether pre-World Cup form is still relevant.
That makes taking the Revolution less expensive, which is why it should be your play for tonight. They are the safer side, at home, and were by far the better team before the break.
Toronto has enough attacking talent to score, so go Both Teams to Score (Yes, -154), but TFC is poor defensively, which is why you don’t trust them on the Moneyline side.
Carles Gil at plus money to score (+125 at Betway) is another good play, since he’s the Revolution’s most dangerous attacking player.
Toronto sits near the bottom of the East, winless in their last nine MLS games, with a defence that gave up 10 goals in their previous five matches.
TFC is still missing Lazar Stefanovic and Matheus Pereira, still out with injuries, while New England is without Leonardo Campana.
Over 2.5 Total Goals (-150) is also a logical spot to put some money.
Call it a rebuilding phase for TFC, four points below the playoff line, and a negative goal difference. Over the World Cup break, they reacquired defensive midfielder Nelson Palacio from Real Salt Lake. Although he won’t be available immediately, with fitness work, TFC hopes he can help plug that leaky defence when he gets back.
In their first game back, a 0-0 draw against CF Montreal, TFC did not even register a shot on target, while Montreal had just three. Forward Josh Sargent, making $22 million, only had two touches. That’s just not sustainable. Toronto needs to find players who can get him the ball to finish.
“His commitment to the team is so evident when you see him lose the ball 90 yards from the goal and he’s the one making the tackle at the top of our box,” said head coach Robin Fraser, per Waking the Red. “It just speaks volumes to his commitment to the project and to the team.”
Looking forward, through the end of the season in November, bettors should focus on TFC injury updates and how Palacio fits in, especially its impact on defensive metrics.
Tonight, watch how Sargent melds with fellow designated player Djordje Mihailovic, who’s also been out since April with a pelvic injury. The two of them had only played a few minutes together before Mihailovic’s injury. Will that boost the offence?
Not enough to impact tonight’s outcome.
